JPH0230007B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for aligning original sheets transported over a transparent window by shifting the position of the transparent window of a copying machine with respect to an adjacent fixed member.

For high-speed xerographic copiers and other copiers currently in use, automatic processing of individual original sheets to be copied takes advantage of their faster copying capabilities. There is a growing demand for However, such manuscripts can vary widely in sheet size, weight, thickness, material, condition, moisture, age, and value. Manuscripts must be free from twists, wrinkles, cuts, "corner folds," cutouts, overlays, overhangs, tape,
Includes items with extremely irregular conditions, such as clasps for binding and adhesives. It would also be desirable to semi-automatically or automatically feed and copy sets of documents that are mixed in size, type, and condition without jamming or damaging the documents. Furthermore, it is desirable to process such documents in a relatively compact and inexpensive processing system. Such document processing systems also override the existing or essentially conventional type of transparent external copy window (such as the platen) of the copier to utilize existing optical systems. It is desirable that it be usable. For these purposes, it is desirable to reproduce the image of the document on the platen in an existing or conventional manual alignment position. That is, an automatic or semi-automatic document handling system may require that a copier operator move a document from the platen area for conventional manual positioning of the document containing a book to be reproduced on the same platen by the same optical system. It is desirable that it be easily removable.

Aligning such manual copy operations is
A fixed raised alignment edge fixed to the copier body or extending linearly along one or both sides of the platen fixed along one or both edges of the platen glass. supported by the department. The platen glass is also typically mounted stationary on the copier body.

One of the most important and difficult to accomplish requirements for automatic or semi-automatic document processing is to move the document into and out of the appropriate position for copying operations. , accurate, reliable, and safe transfer and alignment. Typically, the document is predefined with respect to the copier platen with one or both ends, for the document to be aligned with one or more alignment lines proximate one or more edges of the copier platen. Preferably, the processing means (depending on the copier) automatically, accurately, center or corner register the image in the registered registration position. It is desirable to ensure that the accuracy of this alignment is less than 1 mm. If the document is not properly aligned or if it slips after alignment, an undesirable black edge or edge shadow image will appear on top of the document near the edge.

Various known document processing systems are provided with various document transport units to move, align, and unregister document sheets over the platen of a copier. The document transport includes one or more belt transports or feed wheels using friction, vacuum or electrostatic drive forces. Various combinations of such platen transports are known, as well as various positioning devices or systems.

Various techniques are known in the art for aligning documents for copying operations in the proper position relative to a transparent copying window. Typically, original sheets are registered by driving them against gates or stops. This includes protruding alignment fins, roller nip, or a single vertical surface;
The edges of the sheet are driven into contact therewith. An important function of such registration is to avoid skewing the moving document, i.e. to define and control its position as well as to properly align it with the registration lines.

The type of document transport and registration is influenced by the copier optics, ie, the type of reproduction system. In a constant-velocity document transfer (CVT) device, the document is copied while being moved at a constant speed by the transfer section over a small (narrow) scanning window of a fixed optical system. It is generally desirable to pre-register the original document just before it is transferred onto the copying window. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,320 (also
No. 3,552,739), No. 5
With particular reference to the figures, this CVT pre-registration involves lifting the leading edge of the document so that it is transported over the fixed registration end 168 at 173 by belt 140 at the appropriate time. It is previously known that the rotation of the proximal member 170 is allowed to pass at a constant speed over the platen to initiate imaging of the document 166.

In most other types of reproduction systems, on the other hand, the document is aligned over a full-size (full-frame) platen. In such systems, the document is either scanned while it is held stationary on a platen, or
Or, as soon as it is aligned, it is optically stopped by flashing the entire document through the platen. In such full-frame systems, the document is preferably placed on a platen glass near one side or edge of the document.
Aligned to a fixed predetermined position. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,665 and U.S. Pat. Additionally, pre-registration fins or rollers may be used to pre-register the document relative to the transport belt and then move the document a known distance over the platen to align it on the belt. This can be done by More typically, however, without such transfer criticality, a fixed or retractable registration finger, gate or stop end is attached to one end of the platen in its copying position. It is more desirable to have the original documents aligned along the same axis to accurately register the documents.
The document transport can easily slip with respect to the document against the stop until reliable non-skewing and perfect alignment is achieved. As previously noted, it may also be desirable to manually align the document with the same alignment member.

Examples of retractable alignment fingers or gate systems include those referenced, for example, in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 4,043,665. U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,376 shows a single belt that can be reversed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,552 shows a plurality of extendable alignment fingers between a plurality of document belts at an angled end of a platen. Another system of retractable gates 73, 74 is shown in the circular document processing means of U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,674. A retractable alignment finger could of course also be used for manual alignment, but this is not preferred. They require a mechanism for excitation and also
This method has different disadvantages as described below.

Examples of document processing systems in which documents are registered using fixed (non-retractable) registration stops that are driven by a transport are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,220; No. 4033574.

As noted, the use of a fixed stop projecting above the plane of the platen as disclosed in such reference examples means that this similar alignment edge can also be used to manually position the document. It may be allowed to be used for matching purposes. However, when this registration end is not retracted, there is a significant problem that the document cannot be easily fed over it by the same transport section unless part of the transport section is lifted. There are some disadvantages. This typically limits the document feed path for the fixed registration end document processing means to one of two reversing document movement types. In one type, the document is fed forward on the platen over the upstream raised registration edge, and then the document belt reverses direction while it is held downward. Been,
The trailing or trailing edge of the document is driven into alignment with this upstream fixed registration edge.
Then, after a copying operation, the document belt must be reversed to resume its forward movement in order to eject the document from the downstream side of the platen. For example, note US Pat. No. 3,504,908, mentioned above. In an alternative type, a fixed, permanently raised registration end is located at the downstream end of the platen. The document is registered by driving it across the platen to the downstream registration end. After copying, the document is then reversed in direction and fed back away from the upstream edge of the platen. The disadvantage of this type is that the documents are fed off the same side that they were fed, so only one document at a time is processed by the document belt transport on the platen. There is something to be said about it. That is, a subsequent document cannot be fed onto the platen until the preceding document has been ejected from the platen by the belt. In such a "Y" shaped bi-directional platen transport system, documents cannot be recirculated in an endless loop in a single direction to and from the platen. this is,
Normally requires either longer document change times or faster document transport.

For the above reasons, the use of retractable registration ends has generally been preferred for new high speed document processing systems. This allows a document to be fed off the platen over a retracted registration member while a subsequent document is fed on the same unidirectional transport. It is something.

However, such retractable alignment stops have significant disadvantages.
Retractable fingers prevent document slippage or slippage between the finger and a moving document transport belt, especially on a uniform single belt or depending on the weight and condition of certain documents. There are timing or positioning difficulties.
Also, when a document is stopped by only one of two or more spaced registration fingers, it will be skewed. Misalignment, as noted earlier,
This will result in image loss, edge shading or black background. Misalignment also creates serious problems in further document transport.
The slip causes wrinkles, abrasion, or tearing of the document when it is driven over the raised fingers by the document belt. Additionally, in movable alignment gates, there is typically a small gap between the alignment gate and the end of the platen. The edges of the platen glass are typically beveled to allow the alignment gate to slide thereover at an acute angle relative to the top surface of the platen to aid in capturing the original. This is the U.S. patent no.
This is described in No. 3844552. Thus, the leading edge of the document, especially when it is twisted downwards, becomes trapped in this space between the registration gate and the edge of the platen, and as the registration gate is retracted, this space (this occurs before the document is driven off the platen).

The invention is not limited to any particular type of document illumination or optical system, e.g.
The present invention can be applied to either scanning lamp (stationary original) type copying or moving original (static optical system) type copying. However, it is
“Full Frame” where the original is copied after being aligned in a static position to the size platen
It is particularly suitable for image formation. In such copying operations, it is desirable to illuminate the document from a light reflector below the platen, which helps eliminate shadows on the document and the edges of the document belt.

In any such system, for optical reasons, the copier platen glass or another transparent imaging window has traditionally been located at a fixed position with respect to the frame of the copier body. It was considered essential that it be maintained. The top surface of the platen is typically horizontal at all times and perpendicular to the optical imaging path (optical axis). Gradually repositioning the platen along the optical axis when the copying machine is not performing a copying operation changes the magnification of the copy of the original, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 52-155552. It is known to cause. The horizontal orientation of the platen perpendicular to the optical axis cannot be changed for such changes in magnification.

The present invention overcomes or minimizes the above problems and provides an inexpensive and simple document processing apparatus and method that provides the advantages of a fixed registration edge as described above. , and the disadvantages of each will also be eliminated,
For example, the document path and feeding advantages of a retractable registration edge are provided. especially,
A similar fixed registration end is used for both manual copying operations on the platen and semi-automatic, automatic and/or recirculating document feeding and registration, and A document registration system is provided such that the document can be fed over this fixed registration edge without obstruction, allowing either bidirectional or unidirectional document feeding. The invention finds use in many different types of document processing systems, including those disclosed in the references included above.

In this invention, the platen glass or separate transparent window of the copier is intermittently repositioned with respect to an adjacent fixed surface to intermittently provide a positive registration stop for the document, and The stop is removed intermittently for trouble-free feeding. This repositioning requires only a slight pivot tilt of less than 1 cm from the horizontal of the edge of the window adjacent to the fixed surface.

Disclosed below are the following document alignment apparatus and method. That is, a document alignment device and method for aligning a transferred document sheet on a transparent window and a fixed end member of a copying machine, the method includes: adjusting the position of one end of the transparent window; This shift in the position of the transparent window by intermittently shifting it into and out of alignment with the fixed end member
The present invention is characterized by providing intermittently a sheet stop alignment surface above the transparent window that can be effectively removed from the path of document travel.

The invention may be better understood by reference to the following description of specific examples, which are included in the accompanying drawings.

The following various descriptions of FIGS. 1-3 also apply to FIG. 4 and the subsequent description of FIGS.
First, referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, one example is shown in which a semi-automatic document transfer section 10 is incorporated. The transport unit 10 moves the document sheet in a path of travel over a transparent copying window or platen 12 of the copying means, during which time the document is aligned and copied, and then ejected from the platen. Since the copying machine and its optical means may be of any known type, it is disclosed here only insofar as it relates to this document processing unit 10. As is commonly practiced in xerography, the document is exposed onto a transparent platen 12 by a flash lamp 14 or other illumination means. The image of the original document is imaged onto a conventional photoreceptor of the reproduction means along the optical axis 16 via a fixed or scanning lens, either directly or through a mirror arrangement, in a manner known in the art. Typically, and most preferably, platen 12 is perpendicular to optical axis 16 while originals are being copied thereon.

However, quite uniquely, platen shifting means 18 are additionally provided for intermittently raising the position of one end 20 of the platen 12, which shifting means will be described below. and interacts with the document transport portion to intermittently provide removable alignment means for the document. The platen shift means 18 may be of a manual type, but in the example shown in FIGS. ing. As particularly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this shaft 24 is provided with eccentric cams 26 at both ends thereof. These cams 26
Each time the shaft 24 is rotated by the motor 22, both sides of the free end 20 of the platen 12 are slightly lifted by lever action. cam 26
may act directly on the platen glass itself or, as illustrated here, on a metal platen edge frame or support 28.

Shifting means 18, including cam 26, are always positioned outside the copy area of platen 12.
That is, it never images itself or interferes with normal reproduction of the document on platen 12.

In particular, as shown in FIG.
8, the free end 20 of the platen 12
It is slightly raised relative to the adjacent fixed end member 30. The platen top surface 34 is moved from below to above the top surface of the fixed end member 30 at the end 20 . That is, it is consistent with it and is above it. The fixed end member 30 is provided with an alignment end portion for aligning the document without causing it to skew. The end member 30 is integral with the frame of the copying machine. This is not a retractable alignment end. In this particular multi-belt embodiment, registration end members 30 are spaced apart to capture the leading edge and temporarily stop the document, as illustrated in FIG. It consists of a plurality of upright fingers 32. These fingers 32 normally protrude slightly, such as from 1 to 2.5 millimeters, beyond the normal position of the upper surface 34 of the platen. Stated another way, the leading edges or tips of these fingers 32 project above the plane of the upper surface 34 of the platen, except when the platen is lifted by the shifting means 18. These fingers 32
are arranged across the movement of the document along the downstream edge or edge of the platen 12 at the limits of the optical imaging area of that side of the platen;
It forms the downstream alignment line for the copier.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fingers 32 typically extend between a plurality of spaced document wide belts 36 (i.e., the fingers are interlaced). ing). These belts 36 normally pass through the recesses between the fingers 32 and attach to the fixed end member 30.
It consists of a variable-shaped belt-like document feeding flight that extends beyond the With this configuration, the belt 36 holds the document below the platen at the bottom of the finger 32, so that the finger 32 can reliably stop the leading edge of the document, so more reliable alignment can be achieved. I can do it.

For corner-registered copiers, such as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, an additional right-angled fixed registration edge is provided along one side of the platen in the direction of document feed. It can be provided by side edge guides 38 extending along the sides. By tilting the document belt 36 relative to this guide 38 at a slight angle, e.g. 2 degrees, the document is aligned to the side guides 38 simultaneously with the alignment of its leading edge to the fixed end member 30. is performed, and corner alignment is performed. This angle of the multiple document belt is described in U.S. Patent No.
No. 4147339.

The multiple belts 36 shown here do not extend across the entire platen. The length of the belt is the shortest (narrowest) normally copied on the platen.
As defined by that of the original, "show-around" exposure of the belt 36 on the copy is avoided.

The document is further mounted on the platen 12 by a light-reflective, generally flat platen cover plate 4 disposed close to and covering the platen.
0 may be limited to within the field of view of the optical system. A through slot 40 is provided in this plate 40 for the belt 36. The upstream and downstream ends of plate 40 are bent upward to provide additional feed clearance. The bottom surface of the plate 40 for flattening the document is maintained at a distance of approximately 1 mm from the top surface 34 of the platen. This allows documents to be fed between the plate 40 and the platen without any hindrance. In this regard, U.S. Patent No.
Described in No. 3888581.

Of course, the document handling unit is preferably pivotally mounted in the conventional manner to the copier cover by its frame and cover unit. Thus, by pivoting the document processing unit upwardly away from the platen and adjacent fixed end member 30, the same fixed registration end member 30 as used in automatic registration devices such as those described above can be used.
and 38 allow for manual placement and copying of documents on the platen without any hindrance.

In the semi-automatic document processing unit shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, a known pre-alignment and pre-feeding means 44 is also shown. This manual document feeding means 44 is not required for the circulating document processing means. However, a combination RDH/
It can also be used for SADH units. An example here is the known perforated high speed corner jogging wheel 46 on an angled flexible shaft 48. This corner
The jogger 46 captures a manually loaded document and quickly drives it to a corner pre-registration position. One side of the document is pre-aligned with the input side guide 50 (aligned slightly inwardly with respect to side guide 38). At the same time, the leading edge of the document is pre-aligned with the nip line of feed roller 52 (which is not normally rotating). Another example of Kona Jiyoga is shown in US Pat. No. 4,179,117 and the art cited therein.

Infeed roller 52 is on a common shaft 54 proximate the upstream end of the platen. They are parallel to the downstream alignment line formed by alignment fingers 32. The original is on wheel 46
When driven in, ie, not sufficiently skewed, the leading edge of the document excites two photo sensors 56a and 56b proximate this nip line of roller 52. The document processing unit then enters a state in which the document is further fed toward the platen by rotation of the roller 52.
That is, the originals are aligned in advance.

Examples of such document sensor control are detailed, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,132,401 and the references cited therein.

Now, as shown in FIG. 2, all electrically energized components are electrically connected in the conventional manner to and controlled by the copier controller 58. . This controller 58
is preferably of a conventional and known type, such as a programmable microprocessor, or other suitable or known software or hardware logic.
It is a system. For some examples,
U.S. Patent No. 4099150; U.S. Patent No. 4125325; U.S. Patent No.
No. 4144550; and No. 4123155.

inputs from both sensors 56a and 56b;
Then, when another signal is received by controller 58 instructing the copier to standby for copying, controller 58 activates infeed roller 52 . This is accomplished by an electrically actuated clutch 60 on shaft 54. When the clutch 60 is activated, as shown in FIG.
The document is driven onto the platen below plate 40 until it is captured by plate 6 . Belt 36 then transports the document the remaining path across the platen for final registration. Belt 36 is driven by common drive motor 62 as well as activated by controller 58 at appropriate times and for appropriate periods of time.

Motor 62 is also used to drive a separate set of delivery rollers 64 downstream of the platen, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These feed rollers 64, like belt 36, are not skewed, and therefore eject documents straight to the appropriate stack tray.

The attachment of the shaft end and other components to the frame/cover unit 42 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is not shown to simplify the drawings. These are typically spring mounted within the document processing unit for controlled pressure engagement with their corresponding components on the copier.

In the document transfer unit shown here,
The documents are fed forward in a normal, face-down, sequential order, ie, in the order 1 to N. As a result, copies are generated in the same order as the original. Correct copy verification is accomplished by stacking the copies face down at the output of the copying machine. Alternatively, read the manuscript in reverse order,
That is, it is also possible to feed the copies in the order of N to 1, and stack the ejected copies with their surfaces facing up. In the latter case, a copy inverter is provided at the output of the document processing means, ie at the delivery roller 64, to stack the documents face up so that they can be re-collated. Such copy inverters consist of a known 180 DEG inversion roller type transport means for stacking documents face up on top of the document processing unit. In order to make copies from 1 to N, the documents can be simply stacked face down directly at the outlet at the downstream end of the platen, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. , the originals can be maintained in collated order for feeding again in order 1 through N, either manually or by known bottom stack feeding means. Alternatively, the documents may be fed face up to a reversing roller adapted to invert and feed them relative to the platen.

The operation of the above-mentioned alignment device in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 will now be described in more detail.
It will be appreciated that the normal position of the platen, including its position while copying, is in a stationary horizontal position perpendicular to optical axis 16. This is also the position of the platen while feeding the document into its registration position. In this normal platen position, particularly shown in the solid line position in FIG.
A sheet stop vertical surface 66 on the upstream surface of is exposed and extends a predetermined distance above the top surface 34 to stop forward movement of the document. Thus, even though belt 66 attempts to continue driving the document forward, the leading edge of the document cannot pass through this fixed surface 66. In this way, reliable alignment is achieved. In this normal alignment position, the platen 12 is out of alignment with the fixed end member 30 so that the document surface release vertical portion 66 is directly in the path of travel of the document. At any time after alignment is performed, the fingers 32, their surfaces 66, or any portion of the fixed end member 30 or platen do not move before or during copying. , copies may be made.

Once the document on the platen has been aligned and copied, the controller 58 activates the platen shifting means 18 as previously described to briefly lift the downstream end 20 of the platen into alignment with the end member 30. Make it. This movement is done only to prepare a completely unobstructed path of travel downstream of the document from the platen past the fixed end member 30 by raising the platen into alignment with or above the end member 30. It is needed.

Unlike the prior art devices described above, there is no need to move the registration end member 30 back, nor does the document movement have to be reversed. In this alignment device, all drives in the document transport section, such as motor 62, are preferably unidirectional and non-critical. No clutch or reversing means are also required for the document transport. The timing for driving the document belt is not critical. That is, the document belt does not need to be started and stopped at precise locations or times for the device. In fact, the drive of document belt 36 does not even need to be stopped. Since all alignment is performed by a stationary member integrally mounted to the frame of the copying machine, there is no need for cooperative operation with the alignment gate provided with it to maintain alignment. There's no need for it.

Preferably, the pivoted end 20 of the platen is proximate the fixed end member 30 and is raised past alignment with the upper surface of the end member 30 for said document ejection cycle. Thus, the upper surface 34 of the platen is slightly above any point on the end member 30, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. This has many advantages. First, there is no need to tightly control the distance the platen moves. The end 20 of the platen is
It is raised anywhere, for example between 1 and 2.5 mm, but this is due to the platen surface 3 for alignment.
This is because it exceeds the desired normal protrusion length of the sheet stop surface 66 on the finger 66 above 4.

In any case, this platen movement is
Preferably, the size is smaller than 1 cm. Accordingly, a low power electric motor 22 or conventional solenoids may be used for movement of this small platen, with appropriate gearing, camming or levering as disclosed. Preferably, this movement is assisted by pivoting the platen 12 about its opposite end 68, as shown here. This opposing end 68 therefore supports half the weight of the platen. Pivotal mounting of the platen integrally with the frame of the copier at its end 68 may also be accomplished by any suitable means such as known flexible adhesive plastic hinges. . The gap between this end 68 of the platen and the document feed surface above the top of the copier is filled or covered with a compressible, perforated material or the like to prevent obstruction to document feed. It is possible. If desired, the platen can be allowed to fall before the leading edge reaches the registration position, allowing subsequent documents to be loaded while the platen is still raised to eject the preceding document. It can also be fed onto a platen.

As previously mentioned, when the end 20 of the platen is intermittently pivoted upward in an attempt to feed each document off the platen without obstruction,
Sheet stop surface 66 is completely removed from the document travel path by being retracted below the platen. However, there are other desired and simultaneous cooperative operating functions for this platen movement. The leading edge region of the document is positively raised by the platen for more secure engagement with the document belt 36. The platen 12 in this area is in contact with the belt 3 in the delivery area.
It is deformed and pushed up into 6 unsupported flights. This increases the normal force between the leading edge of the document on the platen and belt 36, making downstream delivery of the document more reliable. Also, when the downwardly twisted leading edge of the document enters the narrow space between the platen end 20 and the surface 66 of the fixed end member 30, it is lifted out of the space by the upward movement of the platen. This eliminates the known cause of document feed jams in separate (moving gate) document registration devices.

This intermittent pivoting of one end of the copier window 12 occurs only during non-copying periods when the document is being transferred from the platen over the fixed end member 30. At any time after the trailing edge of the document has passed the fixed end member 30, the platen 12 can be automatically shifted downwardly and returned to its normal, stationary copying position. This can be done simply and without strict control by raising the platen for a small, predetermined, fixed period of time, which is the period in which the largest document clears the platen. It's long enough so that you can do it. Even if the platen were to fall prematurely, the use of a low normal force document belt and the smooth surface on end member 30 normally prevents damage to the document. A sensor may be provided at the downstream end of the platen to ensure that the document is completely removed from the feed before the platen can be lowered.

In the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3, the time period for raising the platen is the time for rotation of the cams 26 by their motors 22.
That is, it is preset by motor and gear action. Motor 22 is suitably started and stopped by controller 58 or by a cam 26 actuated switch.

As shown here, the cam 26 only raises the platen during partial rotations of the shaft 24, and otherwise disengages the platen, i.e. completely disengages it. It is divided to make it easier to understand. This configuration allows the platen to be lowered by its own weight to a support stop (mounting point) on the frame of the copying machine and returned. In this case, the support stop maintains the platen in alignment perpendicular to the optical axis. Of course, a reversible motor can also be used instead. Furthermore, instead of this, cam 2
6 and appropriate gearing for motor 22, the weight of platen 12 can be made to dominate on cam 26 by removing power to motor 22, reversing their rotation. It becomes permissible to do so. The resulting reversal of the unpowered motor 22 will then act as a damper or brake for the (slower) lowering of the platen.
However, as mentioned above, the upward movement of the platen is very slight and preferably does not require any damping apart from the slightly resilient mounting surface on the frame of the copier.

For the apparatus shown here, platen 20
It is noted that both the rising end of the fixed end member 30 and the closely parallel fastening surface 66 of the fixed end member 30 are vertical, ie, no skew is required.
In addition to manufacturing savings, there are also space savings since no space is required for any moving alignment gate mechanism. Only a narrow fixed end member 30 is required, which allows for unobstructed copying of books at the outer edges or "corners" of the copier, as shown. Only a very narrow central binding area of the book lying over this corner needs to be optically blurred with this device. The platen and its imaging area can be fully extended to this corner.

Regarding the above-mentioned platen shift means 18,
Only a single small motor or solenoid coupled to a simple cam or separate activation member or finger is required to operate the overall alignment device. As will be apparent, this overall alignment, or here non-alignment, feature 18 may be located on the side or end of the platen, completely out of the optical path, as shown. It can be done.
Shaft 24 is shown here for convenience as acting directly below the copy corner of the book, and is also designed to raise cams 26 operating on either side of the platen. However, it is acknowledged that none of these are required. Additionally, as previously discussed, no electrical activation or manual movement of any document alignment members is required for manual copying on the platen.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 may be modified as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4 so that when the platen is lowered into its normal position, i.e., during document alignment, The downstream part of 36 is (end member 30
due to engagement by the raised portion of the platen), it is automatically held slightly above the downstream region of the platen. This creates a reduced normal force between the document belt and the document during registration in this area due to freer, non-skewing movement of the document relative to belt 36. This is accomplished by extending the end member 30 between the fingers 32 and slightly above the top surface 34 of the platen (but not over the fingers 32).

In a simple readjustment of the method of operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3, the original sheet to be copied is transported in a single direction of travel over the copier's transparent window 12 and against a fixed registration end 30. They are securely aligned and further transported in the same direction by being lifted on their fixed end members 30 downstream of the platen. This is accomplished by intermittently shifting the position of one end 20 of the transparent window 12 with respect to this fixed end member 30 between first and second positions. In the first position, the fixed end member 3
Vertical alignment surface 66 on platen 1
2 is represented in the document path for transport data to be registered on. The same end 20 of the transparent window 12 is then shifted to a second and different position relative to the same fixed end member 30, over which the original sheet can be transported without obstruction. This raises the upper surface 34 of the transparent window 12 through the array above the level of the uppermost surface of the fixed end member 30 during the non-copying time period, here by a distance of less than approximately 2.5 mm. It is done by letting. Thus, the transparent window 12 preferably has its stationary end 6 opposite the raised end 20.
8 and pivoted about the first and second positions. However, the transparent window 12 normally remains stationary and orthogonal with respect to the optical axis of the copier, and particularly during copying operations. Fixed end member 30 normally extends approximately 1.5 to 2.5 mm above the normal level of the upper surface of the platen;
A fixed registration edge is provided for manually placed or fed documents.
(The height can be increased, but is not needed for more documents.) Now referring to the second embodiment of FIG.
A different document processing unit 100 is shown.
It includes a slightly different embodiment 102 of a non-alignment device, which generally corresponds to the platen shifting means of FIGS. 1-3. This document processing means 100 includes first to
Rather than the short and multiple belts 36 of Figure 3, a single continuous uniform belt 101 covers the entire platen and extends both upstream and downstream thereof. This belt 101 is of a well-known type and is shown in some of the reference examples mentioned above, such as the Xerox "9200",
Used in "5600", "9400" or "9800" type copiers. The belt 101 is appropriately driven by a motor M, and is appropriately controlled by a controller 104 of the copying machine. Downstream (alignment side) end 106 of belt 101 and platen 108
An additional normal force is provided by a roller 110 that resiliently engages the back of the belt 101.

In this embodiment of FIG. 4, the fixed end member 112 of the copier is also positioned directly relative to the platen 108 and in close proximity to the downstream liftable end 106. The platen 108 also
At its upstream end 107, it is pivotally mounted to the copying machine. Here, the end portion 112 is
It extends uniformly and linearly across the direction of belt movement, ie it has no fingers. The end member 112 thus provides a continuous, upstream-facing vertical surface 1 for document alignment and deskewing.
14 (corresponding to the discontinuous surface 66 on finger 32 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3).

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the platen is intermittently raised at its downstream end 106 by a slightly different platen shift means 116 to provide the non-alignment device 102. An electrical solenoid 118 located inside the copier but outside the optical path connects the copier controller 104.
long lever arm 120 when activated with
exerts a tensile action on the free end of. This lever arm 120 is integrally connected to a much shorter lever arm 122. These two lever arms are defined by pivoting the entire lever arm unit about a pivot shaft 124 (corresponding to shaft 24 in FIGS. 1-3). Shaft 124 similarly extends across the downstream end of platen 106 and has a separate, equally short lever arm 1 at its opposite end proximate the opposite side of the platen.
22 (hidden in this figure) so that the platen is raised on both sides. The free ends of both short lever arms 122 have rollers or smooth cams adapted to engage the underside of platen 108.
All of this mechanism 102 is outside the field of view of the copier's optics.

The tension of the solenoid 118, through its associated long lever arm 120, raises this cam end of both short lever arms 122 with considerable leverage. This will raise the platen as long as solenoid 118 is energized. This intermittently elevated position is
It is shown as a solid line in FIG. Once the solenoid 118 is no longer energized, ie, power is removed, the platen automatically lowers back to its normal supported position perpendicular to the optical axis 126 of the copier. This is illustrated by the selective dotted line positions in FIG. 4 for the components described above.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, as in the embodiments of FIGS.
1 and reaches its normal (lowered) position together with the platen. Secure alignment is provided by platen 108 below the upper surface of fixed end member 112.
, such that its perpendicular adjacent surface 114 appears in the document path. Also, as shown, belt 101 is pressed directly against the upper surface of fixed end member 112 on this vertical document stop surface 114 . this is,
This helps prevent the document from being driven onto the edge member 112 during registration.

Once alignment and copying operations are performed, the solenoid 118 is simply energized intermittently to simply lift the downstream end 106 of the platen. For the embodiments described above, the platen is held in its raised position (i.e., lifted from above alignment with end member 112 and from below alignment with end member 112) until the document is fully ejected. It is desirable, but not necessary, that the Similarly, when the end of the platen is so lifted, it is raised towards and into the belt 101 (against the belt tension and its auxiliary normal force means 110). ,
During document ejection, the normal force of the belt 101 against the document is increased and the belt is pushed away from the fixed end member 112.

If some damping is then desired to automatically lower the platen, a reduced holding current is applied to the solenoid while the platen is lowering, rather than removing power entirely from it. Therefore, it is given here.

Fixed registration edge 112 alternately undulates to deform the belt and facilitate stripping of the leading edge of the document therefrom, resulting in registration surface 114.
Let it enter. This is detailed in US Patent Application No. 106,335, filed December 21, 1979. It also shows a different form of the pre-feeding means 44 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Turning now to the embodiment of FIG. 5, this is a completely different embodiment from the two described above. A different, but also commonly known, type of copier is called a constant velocity transport section, or CVT, where the document is scanned by a stationary optical system. Copies are made by moving a platen at a constant speed. FIG. 5 is enlarged with respect to the different drawings. As shown in this FIG. 5 embodiment, the present invention provides a simplified registration and non-registration system and unidirectional document feeding operation even in such a CVT system. It can be adapted for

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a single or multiple document belts similarly driven by motor M and controlled by controller 204 are used. Here, a single belt 202
However, the document 206 is driven on a narrow platen 208, for example, 5 cm. The platen 208 is similarly connected to the optical axis 210, normally and during copying operations.
is at right angles to. For alignment of the document 206 relative to the platen 208 in this FIG. ) is pivoted around one end between the This is due to the solenoid 212 and its integral piston or coupling member 214, which engages the bottom of the platen 208 outside the copy area, causing one end 216 of the platen to rise. As shown, platen 208 is pivoted about pivot axis 222 . However, as an alternative embodiment, instead of pivoting the platen glass around one end 216, the entire platen 208 could be temporarily raised slightly. In either case, since the platen 208 is much smaller here, this lifting of the solenoid 212 relative to the member 214
This direct connection may be used.

However, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, there is an important difference in operation in that the upstream end 216 of the platen 208 is raised by the solenoid 212 prior to copying, above the adjacent fixed end member 30. , typically with an alignment stop on the vertical end surface 218 of the platen glass 208 itself. This is contrary to the embodiments described above in this respect. Raised end 2 of platen 208
16 then, after this pre-registration and deskewing has taken place, that is, after the leading edge of the document has been driven against it, as shown in FIG.
It is allowed to descend. Lowering the platen to its normal copying position means that the original is then
This allows for unobstructed feeding over the fixed end member 220, over the lower end 216 of the platen, and across the platen 208 for copying operations. That is, the lowering of the platen now initiates the CVT copy operation, which is initiated by controller 204.

This system of FIG. 5 is designed such that the registration edge is only intermittently raised into the document path and removed completely from the document path to feed the document over the registration edge. Similar advantages exist for providing end portion 218. A further advantage is that the fixed end member 220 is directly adjacent to the end of the platen, ie, no moving alignment gates are required. As shown,
Position the support for the normal position of the platen (indicated by dotted lines) so that the top surface of the platen is normally aligned with, or slightly below, the top surface 221 of this proximate fixed end member 220. Thereby, there is no impediment to feeding documents except during the intermittent pre-alignment cycles when the platen is raised.

Further, with respect to the previous embodiment, when the raised end 216 of the platen is lifted, it deforms elastically into the unsupported portion of the belt 202, increasing the contact force therebetween. In this FIG. 5 embodiment, while it is being aligned, ie, the platen end 216 is being raised,
To more reliably prevent the leading end of a document from being erroneously fed between a platen and a belt. Transfer belt 20 capable of deforming the tip of the platen glass
This movement can be used to temporarily lift the belt 202 in the document pre-registration area on the surface 221, thus reducing the normal force between the belt and the document thereon. It has been observed that this reduces the amount of movement of the document relative to the belt and allows for easier anti-skew movement of the document relative to the belt.

It is recognized that, unlike the previous two embodiments, in this embodiment of FIG. 5, the document is not lifted by the platen glass. Thus, the document will not be lifted out of the slight gap between the generally vertical end surface 226 of the fixed end member 220 and the generally vertical end alignment surface 218 of the platen. however,
A further differentiating feature is that the possibility that the leading edge of a downwardly twisted document becomes trapped in this gap is reduced. This may be accomplished by the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5, in which the platen glass pivot shaft 222 is proximate to its upper surface and the platen end surface 218 is
As the platen rises, the adjacent fixed surface 22
It becomes pivoted outward towards 6. This surface 226 is now slightly truncated or beveled (angled) to allow this movement only at limited angles. In particular, so designed that when the platen end 216 is raised and pivoted to its desired raised position, the platen end surface 2
18 is a proximal point of the upper surface 221 of the fixed end member 220, directly adjacent to this fixed surface 226, thereby eliminating the normal slight gap therebetween as shown. . Thus, the leading edge of the document is abutted and overdriven when the platen is raised, i.e., against that portion of the end surface 218 that extends beyond the level of the fixed surface 221. These two surfaces 2 at a time pre-aligned by
It cannot reach between 18 and 226. As long as the manuscript is not sent for copying,
The timing for lifting the platen is not critical, and a fixed predetermined timing can be provided. Belt drive M is operated continuously.

For all of the devices described above, during feeding and alignment, the desired drop in pressure between the belt and the document as the document reaches the raised registration end and is moved diagonally; The desired increase in the pressure of the document belt against the edge itself is added to help prevent document dislodgement.
Here, since the registration end is supported by the frame of the machine, no additional mechanism is required for this desired pressure, other than the weight of the document belt system. When the solenoid is energized to lift the platen glass, it automatically changes this pressure distribution as desired and
To eject the document from the platen, press the leading edge area of the document against the belt for maximum friction between them and similarly physically raise the leading edge of the document above the alignment edge. , and reduce belt pressure on the alignment edge. The document is not pulled over the registration edge. When the platen glass is raised above the level of the top surface of the registration edge, there is actually free space between the top surface of the registration edge and the document belt for unrestricted document ejection. do.

It will be appreciated that the invention may be used in many embodiments other than those shown herein. For example, in the embodiments described above, a feeding means is shown in which documents are fed in and out by means of the transfer section. However, the present invention also provides for documents in which the placement and alignment of the document on the platen is done manually or semi-manually in all cases, and the document transport section includes only a simple document ejection device. Processing means are used. An example is US Pat. No. 3,881,581, referenced above. There, the document is ejected after manual placement and copying by small friction feed rollers that engage the document. As shown there, these rollers are driven by small electric motors or mechanically driven, for example, by springs wound by the raising and closing of the platen cover, so that the copying Released by the clutch after completion. As an alternative to the feed rollers, flexible multi-van "flapper" wheels or other simple ejection means may be used.

Such flappers, wheels or other feeding means are similar to those used in known manner as "knobs" to assist in document alignment. That is, for this system, the registration feed means is used without inversion for document ejection, as well as the reason for removing the registration end stop from the path of the document by lifting the platen. by.

In addition to this, and very importantly,
The present invention allows for a simple document feeder that is to be operated continuously without damaging the document or platen. They allow for little or no contact with the document during alignment and copying operations, and in current systems, there is no contact with the document from the platen, feed wheel, flap or separate This is because the spacing between the device and the operating surface can be much larger during normal and copying cycles. The lifting distance of the downstream end of the platen can be made to accommodate this normal spacing of the feeding mechanism from the platen, so that the platen only lifts and feeds documents during the desired document ejection cycle. The contact with the feeding mechanism is strengthened. That is, the contact of the feeding means ranges from a slight, slippery contact to ejection of a document.
Changed to a more secure, higher friction feeding contact. Thus, the feed wheel, flapper, or separate document drive means can be operated continuously during the copying operation without damaging the document, and still leave no trace on the document after the copying operation.
This provides more sufficient ejection power.

There are many advantages to being able to operate the document feed/feed mechanism or separate document transport means continuously. The control is not critical since it does not require starting or stopping at a specific point in time. The electrical circuit or clutch for switching power to the motor is simplified or eliminated. The performance characteristics of the feed means, including acceleration, torque and deceleration, are far less critical and a simplified, less expensive and lower power drive system can be used. In fact, it is desirable to use feed means driven by an electric motor in continuous operation, with low power but high inertia (assisted by an inertial flywheel). Rotational inertia can be used to increase the initial torque and initial on the document for ejection.
When the document is ejected, the load is quickly reduced by this device. That is, friction between the feeding mechanism and the platen glass is significantly reduced or eliminated as the platen lowers back into its normal position.

It is recognized that further improvements or substitutions may be made to any of the three above-described embodiments.
It is recognized that while the embodiments herein are preferred, many other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are contemplated by the scope of the claims. intended to be included.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary document processing apparatus incorporating one example of a document alignment apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. Figure 3 shows line 3-3 in Figure 2.
FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the second document alignment device and document feeding means. FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which includes a constant speed moving document, a stationary scanning optical system, and document processing means. 30, 112, 220...Fixed end member, 10,
100, 202... Original transport unit, 12, 108,
208... Transparent window, 18, 102, 212... Intermittent shifting means, 66, 114, 218... Alignment surface.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Movement over a transparent copying window 12, 108, 208 of a copying machine having an optical axis 16, 126, 210 and on which a fixed end member 30, 112, 220 is mounted stationary. Document transport units 10, 100, 20 within the path
2, in which one end of the transparent window 12, 108, 208
0, 106, 216 are the fixed end members 30, 11
2, 220, and is movable between an aligned relationship and a non-aligned relationship with the fixed end member 30, 112, 220; means 18, 102, 2 for intermittently shifting the position of said end 20, 106, 216 on the side proximate to said end member into an aligned and non-aligned relationship with said fixed end member;
12, and the shift means 18, 102, 21
2 to align the document sheet with respect to the transparent window when the transparent window is shifted out of alignment with the fixed end member by inserting a document sheet obstruction into the travel path of the document sheet. aligning surfaces 66, 114, 218 and positioning the document over the transparent window and over the fixed end member when the transparent window is shifted into alignment with the fixed end member. said means 18, 10 for shifting said transparent window;
No. 2,212 maintains the transparent window in a static copying position perpendicular to the copier optical axis during copying operations and shifts the transparent window from the copying position during non-copying time periods. Document alignment device. 2 alignment surface 66,1 interfering with said original sheet;
Reference numeral 14 denotes a surface substantially perpendicular to the fixed end members 30, 112, which perpendicular surface is generally perpendicular to the transparent windows 12, 14 during normal copying operations.
protruding above the plane of the upper surface of 108;
Also, said means 18, 102 for shifting the position of said transparent window intermittently, pivotably, during non-copying time periods, said one end 20, 106 thereof at least at the level of said fixed end member. Claim 1, wherein the original sheet is raised to a position above the fixed end member, and the original sheet is transported by the original transport unit 10, 100 from the transparent window without any obstruction. Device. 3. the fixed end member 220 is in the same plane as the transparent window 208 during normal times and copying operations;
The means 212 for intermittently shifting the position of the transparent window is configured to intermittently raise the one end 216 thereof substantially above the level of the fixed end member to shift the position of the transparent window. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a document sheet alignment surface 218 on a raised end 216 in the path of document sheet travel from said fixed end member to said transparent window. 4. The means 18, 102, 212 for intermittently shifting the position of one end of the transparent window is an electric motor coupled to raise the transparent window a distance of less than approximately 1 cm from outside its copying area. Lifting means 22, 118, 21 excited by
Claims 1, 2 or 3 consisting of 2.
Sectional equipment. 5. Claim in which the transparent window is automatically shifted downwardly by gravity to its normal rest copying position, except when the electrically energized lifting means are energized. Apparatus within the scope of item 4. 6. The document transport unit typically includes at least one deformable document feed belt 36, 101, 202 commonly located over both the end member and at least one proximate portion of the transparent window. Consisting of
Further, said means 18, 102, 212 for intermittently shifting said transparent window deforms and moves said one end 20, 106, 216 of said transparent window into said belt. Apparatus according to paragraph 2 or 3. 7. The document transport unit comprises at least one deformable document feed belt that normally lies on both the fixed end member and the one end 20, 106, 216 of the transparent window; , said means 18,1 for intermittently shifting said transparent window;
02, 212 is the one end portion 20 of the transparent window,
106, 216 toward the belt;
increasing the force therebetween and pushing the belt outwardly away from the fixed end member, and further at the opposite ends 68, 10 of the transparent window.
7,224 is the apparatus of claim 1, 2, or 3, which is pivotally mounted to the copying machine. 8 alignment surface 66,1 interfering with said original sheet;
04 is a surface substantially perpendicular to the fixed end member 30, 112 that projects above the plane of the upper surface of the transparent window 12, 108 during normal times and during copying operations; Means 18, 102 for shifting the portion of the window intermittently, pivotably, said one end 2 thereof during non-copying time periods.
0,106 to at least the level of said fixed end to provide unobstructed transport of a document sheet by said document transport section 10,100 from said transparent window on said fixed end member. the means 18 for intermittently shifting the one end portion of the transparent window;
102, 212 comprises said energized lifting means 22, 118, 212 coupled to lift said transparent window a distance of less than approximately 1 cm from outside its reproduction area. The device according to claim 7. 9 said transparent window is automatically shifted downwardly by weight to its normal, stationary copying position, except when said electrically energized lifting means are energized; Claim 8
Sectional equipment.